I suspect everyone has a few of these books. They’re the guilty secret – the great books you want to read, but over the course of weeks, months, and years, just can’t seem to get around to opening. Ugh.
The mental block.
The agony.
The what-is-wrong-with-me?
Here is my short-list of books I want to read, but just can’t seem to.
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
There really is no excuse for me not to have read this book – or this entire series, really. For about three years now, I’ve put it off.
Thing is, I have it on good authority that the Hunger Games series is awesome. That Collins is awesome. That I will read this book and feel that happy zen zing of a great book devoured. I know I can munch my way through all three books over a weekend, then finish off with the movies.
And that brings me to the other reason I really ought to read The Hunger Games. I can’t watch the movies until I read the books. It’s a rule. But it just doesn’t seem enough yet.
2. Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay
This book sits on my shelf. It’s been sitting on my shelf since my birthday two years ago. And it judges me. Oh man, it judges me.
I even read the first page (and liked it!) but then the book went back to my shelf.
Where it sits to this day.
Judging me.
3. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
I’d like to pretend that the size of the series is too much and I just don’t have the time. But I’ve happily blazed through eleven of Robert Jordan’s 14-book monstrosity, and loved everything Robin Hobb wrote until I didn’t love it anymore. I can take on five books, and should, because if I wait a few more years, it’ll be 2019, and there will be seven of them to take on.
…Not that I’m intimidated by page count. Ahem.
But despite having ebook copies of all of Martin’s books on my nook, I can’t seem to deliver the necessary finger-tap to the tiny cover icon on the screen.
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
I’ve been hearing great things about Stiefvater for forever, from Shiver to The Raven Boys to Lament. The covers are awesome-looking, the reviews and ratings solid, and the recommendations consistent.
And did I mention that the covers are awesome-looking?
Unlike the other books on this list, I don’t own any Steifvater, but the books are one library download away. As with the other books, there is no excuse. Just a big ol’ mental block.
I think I need a reading accountability buddy.
The Book Canaries 
Don’t bother with the Hunger Games trilogy. Life’s too short. If you’re enjoying Jordan’s WoT, GRR Martin is worth your effort. Less fussy, though more violent by far, unfortunately.
You make me feel a little better about Hunger Games! As far as Jordan goes, I did enjoy the first few books, and then, near the tail end of the series, suddenly realized that absolutely nothing had happened for the last four books. Inertia is a powerful thing!
I tried a few episodes from GoT the TV series, and it did nothing for me. I suspect that might be playing into my reluctance to pick up the novels.
Abandon the Thrones, then, as the HBO series is a veritable transcript of the books. If you enjoy long series, allow me to recommend the “very best historical fiction ever written,” namely the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian. It is without equal, if you enjoy that sort of thing.
Hmm, O’Brian. I vaguely associate the name with sea-faring voyages and adventures? Am I in the right genre?
Correct. English naval history at the turn of the century. Consistently brilliant story telling. Character driven, historically accurate, top shelf audio versions available at your library.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’m always on the lookout for new books to read.
I’d like to get onto reading GRRM. On my “WILL get around to” list.
The first Hunger Games book didn’t really “do it” for me, so I haven’t bothered with the rest so far.
“Shiver” didn’t really “do it” for me, either…
Haven’t heard of the GGK one… Oh man… that’s the problem with physical books, eh? Once you’ve got me, it’s there to judge… You can’t just turn off the device, or skim over it when you’re searching your digital library… dun dun.
I’ve got a few books I’m part way through that I’m struggling to push on through. Books I get a decent chunk through (like, 70-80%) before hitting a snag, I feel I really ought to forge on…. and finish. There are a few books I’ve given a few pages to interest me… and then there are books I do intend to read, but I keep finding others I want to read first…
I actually have a much easier time abandoning books once I’m past the halfway point. I feel I’ve read enough that if I’m not into the book, it’s not my “fault” so to speak, heh.
What’s next on your To Read list?
Well, I just finished Sonya Lano’s “Heiress of Healing”, and really enjoyed it. Now I’m having a go at “Passion Play” by Beth Bernobich after a favourable comment I saw on Twitter… I’m only 4% in and I’ve already checked out some of the lower-starred reviews to see if my initial reaction is likely to be my overall one (I think I’m just not clicking with the author’s ‘voice’). Next… I have found myself with a a couple of authors asking me to review their books, so I guess I’ll be doing that (“Arm Farm” by Sarah Butland, and “Shardfall” and “Runemaster” by Paul E. Horsman).. otherwise, I’m looking forward to “Ghost Hold” by Ripley Patton, the second book in her PSS Chronicles series)– I supported both of her Kickstarters, so I have the EPUB to get started with already… but too many other reading commitments, argh!
I enjoyed Hunger Games, but admit that I lost interest in Game of Thrones after a few books (Though I loved WoT, all of them). I have to read Raven Boys before the end of the year. Why haven’t I done that yet?